Islam; whereas if that affection is mere emotional attachment unaccompanied by any active support, it is deemed a shortcoming in faith, a sinful violation, and a cause of weakness in one’s belief.

It is reported that this verse was revealed concerning Abū ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jarrah—may Allah be pleased with him—when he slew his own father at the Battle of Badr. His father was an unbeliever who had set out to kill his son, so Abū ʿUbaydah killed him because he was an enemy of Allah. The fact that the man was his father did not deter him from striking him down in righteous anger for the sake of Allah.

The Almighty’s words, “Those…” refer to those who keep themselves far removed from loving or befriending anyone who opposes Allah and His Messenger.

As for His statement, “He has inscribed faith in their hearts,” it means that Allah has firmly implanted and established faith within them.

And His words, “and He has strengthened them with a spirit from Him and will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow,” indicate that this strengthening (taʾyīd) is empowerment: He reinforced them with a spirit from Himself. The Qurʾan uses the term “spirit” (rūḥ) in several senses: the soul that gives life; revelation, as in “Thus We have revealed to you a spirit of Our command” (al-Shūrā 52); and the angel Gabriel—peace be upon him—who is the Holy Spirit, the Trustworthy Spirit.